Method of illuminating an article

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole system secured to the upper. The sole system includes a bladder member with an illumination device. The bladder member is formed from at least a partially transparent or colored outer polymer layer that encloses a fluid. The illumination device is located within the sole system. Light from the illumination device may pass out the sole system by passing through the bladder member, thereby imparting the configuration of an illuminable fluid-filled bladder member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/382,556, filed Apr. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/744,180, filed Jun. 19, 2015, which is relatedto co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/744,162, filed Jun.19, 2015, titled “Article Incorporating an Illumination Device”, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate generally to articles of apparel, and inparticular to articles of footwear with an illumination device.

Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements, an upperand a sole system. The upper may be formed from a variety of materialelements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheets, foam layers, leather,synthetic leather) that are stitched or bonded together to form a voidfor comfortably and securely receiving a foot. More particularly, theupper generally extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, alongthe medial and lateral sides of the foot, under the foot, and around theheel area of the foot. In some articles of footwear, such as basketballshoes and boots, the upper may extend upward and around the ankle toprovide support or protection for the ankle. Access to the void withinthe upper is generally provided by an ankle opening in a heel region ofthe footwear. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper toadjust the fit of the upper, as well as permitting entry and removal ofthe foot from the void within the upper. In addition, the upper mayinclude a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhanceadjustability and comfort of the footwear.

The sole system is secured to a lower portion of the upper and isgenerally positioned between the foot and the ground. In some articlesof footwear, including athletic footwear, the sole system incorporates asockliner, a midsole, and an outsole. The sockliner is a thin,compressible member located within the void (i.e., under the foot) toenhance footwear comfort. The midsole extends downward from the upperand forms a middle layer of the sole system. In addition to attenuatingground reaction forces (i.e., providing cushioning for the foot), themidsole may limit foot motions or impart stability, for example.Although the midsole of athletic footwear may be primarily formed from afoamed polymer material, the midsole may include a variety of additionalfootwear elements that enhance the comfort or performance of thefootwear, including plates, moderators, fluid-filled chambers, lastingelements, or motion control members. The outsole is secured to a lowersurface of the midsole and forms a ground-contacting portion of thefootwear. Additionally, the outsole may be formed from a durable andwear-resistant material that includes texturing to improve traction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and descriptions. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the figures, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is schematic top view of an embodiment of an illumination device.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic circuit ofan illumination device.

FIG. 3 is schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a bladder member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an article offootwear.

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic top views of an embodiment of a bladder memberin different states of illumination.

FIGS. 8-10 are schematic top views of an embodiment of an article offootwear showing the bladder member in different states of illumination.

FIG. 11 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a bladdermember in a state of illumination.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a user programming an embodiment of theillumination device, where the illumination device is in electroniccommunication with a computer.

FIGS. 13-15 are schematic views of a user wearing an embodiment of anarticle of footwear with an illumination device.

FIG. 16 is an embodiment of a process for controlling the illuminationof a bladder member.

FIG. 17 is an embodiment of a process for controlling the illuminationof a bladder member.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a user programming an embodiment of theillumination device, where the illumination device is in electroniccommunication with a computer.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a user earing an embodiment of an articleof footwear with an illumination device.

FIG. 20 is an embodiment of a process for controlling the illuminationof a bladder member.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a user programming anembodiment of an illumination device for an article of footwear, wherethe illumination device is in electronic communication with a mobiledevice.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a user wearing an embodiment of anarticle of footwear with an illumination device.

FIG. 23 is an embodiment of a process for controlling the illuminationof a bladder member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In one aspect, the invention provides for a method of operation for anillumination device, comprising the steps of: receiving input of auser-selected condition-responsive parameter. Retrieving a thresholdvalue related to the user-selected condition-responsive parameter.Retrieving information related to a present value of the user-selectedcondition-responsive parameter from a sensor disposed on theillumination device. Wherein the illumination device operates in a firstillumination mode when the present value is less than the thresholdvalue. Wherein the illumination device operates in a second illuminationmode when the present value is greater than or equal to the thresholdvalue. Wherein the first illumination mode and the second illuminationmode are different.

In another aspect, the invention provides for a method operation for anillumination device, disposed internally to a sole system, forilluminating regions of a sole system for an article of footwear. Themethod comprising the steps of receiving input of a user-selectedcondition-responsive parameter. Retrieving a threshold value related tothe user-selected condition-responsive parameter. Retrieving informationrelated to a present value for the user-selected condition-responsiveparameter from a sensor disposed on the illumination device. Wherein theillumination device illuminates a first region of the sole system in apredetermined first illumination mode when the present value is lessthan the threshold value. Wherein the illumination device illuminates asecond region of the sole system in a predetermined second illuminationmode when the present value is greater than or equal to the thresholdvalue. Wherein the first region is different than the second region.

In another aspect, the invention provides for a method of operation foran illumination device, disposed internally to a sole system, forilluminating regions of a sole system for an article of footwear. Themethod comprising the steps of the illumination device receiving inputof a user-selected condition-responsive parameter. Retrieving a presentvalue for the user-selected condition-responsive parameter. Receivinginput of a user-selected first illumination mode. Receiving input of auser-selected second illumination mode. Retrieving information relatedto the user-selected condition-responsive parameter from a sensordisposed on the illumination device. Wherein the illumination deviceilluminates the sole system in the user-selected first illumination modewhen the present value is less than the threshold value. Wherein theillumination device illuminates the sole system in the user-selectedsecond illumination mode when the present value is greater than or equalto the threshold value. Wherein the user-selected first illuminationmode and the user-selected second illumination mode are different.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments willbe, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description and this summary, bewithin the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the followingclaims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic top view of an exemplary illuminationdevice 100. The term “illumination device” as used throughout thisdetailed description and in the claims refers to any device capable ofemitting light in one or more colors. Further, “illumination device” asused throughout this detailed description and in the claims may refer toany device capable of emitting light in one or more colors in a desiredlocation with a desired illumination effect.

In some embodiments, illumination device 100 may include a housingportion 110. In some cases, housing portion 110 may be constructed fromany suitable material known in the art. In some other embodiments,housing portion 110 may include a forward or first portion 116, and arearward or second portion 118. In other embodiments, housing portion110 may include a right side portion 117, and a left side portion 119.

As indicated in FIG. 1 , housing portion 110 may also be characterizedby a thickness (not visible in FIG. 1 ) extending in a directionperpendicular to both a longitudinal length 112 and a lateral width 114.In at least some embodiments, the thickness of housing portion 110 maybe substantively less than longitudinal length 112 and lateral width114.

In some embodiments, housing portion 110 may include provisions forpowering illumination device 100. In some other embodiments, housingportion 110 may include provisions for providing light to illuminationdevice 100. In still some other embodiments, housing portion 110 mayinclude provisions for programming illumination device 100. In someembodiments, housing portion 110 may include provisions for powering,providing light, and/or programming illumination device 100. Each ofthese provisions shall be discussed in detail below.

In some embodiments, housing portion 110 may include a power supply 120(see FIG. 2 ) for powering illumination device 100. In some cases,illumination device 100 can be turned on and off by pressing down onhousing portion 110. In some cases, power supply 120 may be any devicecapable of storing power for illumination device 100. In someembodiments, power supply 120 may be any oscillating electricalpotential source, including but not limited to, an alternating currentsource, a direct current to alternating converter output (i.e., theoutput of a battery and an inverter), or an electric oscillator (i.e., asine wave generator, square wave generator, or a tuned LC oscillator).In one embodiment, power supply 120 may be a battery such as arechargeable polymer lithium-ion battery having an output of 240milliampere hours. In some embodiments, power supply 120 may be adisposable battery. Examples of different types of disposable batteriesinclude, but are not limited to: zinc-carbon, zinc-chloride, alkaline,silver-oxide, lithium disulfide, lithium-thionyl chloride, mercury,zinc-air, thermal, water-activated, nickel oxhydroxide, and paperbatteries. In another embodiment, power supply 120 could be arechargeable battery of some kind. Examples of rechargeable batteriesinclude, but are not limited to nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride andrechargeable alkaline batteries. In still other embodiments, powersupply 120 could be another type of device capable of generating andstoring electricity. For example, in one embodiment, power supply 120could be a piezoelectric device capable of generating and storingelectricity.

In some embodiments, housing portion 110 may include provisions forproducing light from illumination device 100. In some cases, theseprovisions may be in the form of one or more illuminable elements 130.For purposes of clarity, illuminable elements 130, and its variantsthereof, may refer to any elements capable of emitting different typesof light. For example, in some embodiments, illuminable elements 130 maybe capable of emitting electroluminescent light. However, it is to beunderstood that illuminable elements 130 are not limited to any specifictype of light emitting technology.

In some embodiments, illuminable elements 130 may be in the form oflight emitting diodes (LEDs). In an exemplary embodiment, illuminationdevice 100 may use red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs to disperse light inone or more colors.

As shown in FIG. 1 , illumination device 100 may comprise of three LEDsin the first portion 116, and three LEDs in the second portion 118. Forexample, LEDs in the first portion 116 of illumination device 100 maycomprise of first LED 132, second LED 134, and third LED 136 orientedhorizontally from the left side to the right side. LEDs in the secondportion 118 of illumination device 100 may comprise of fourth LED 138,fifth LED 140, and sixth LED 142 oriented horizontally from the leftside to the right side.

In some embodiments, illuminable elements 130 may be disposed in housingportion 110 so that the propagation of light is directed at an anglerelative to a horizontal or vertical direction. As used herein, theorientation of an illuminable element is defined by a normal axis thatgenerally extends outwardly from a base of the illuminable element(e.g., from the surface where the illuminable element attaches tohousing portion 110). Thus, for example, first LED 132 has anorientation 133 characterized by an axis (or ray) that is directednormally from a base portion 131 of first LED 132. In some embodiments,the orientation of an illuminable element may be characterized relativeto longitudinal length 112 or lateral width 114 of illumination device100. As shown in FIG. 1 , first LED 132, third LED 136, fourth LED 138,and sixth LED 142 may be angled with respect to, or oriented away from,a longitudinal direction (indicated schematically by longitudinal axis113) that extends along length 112 of housing portion 110. For example,orientation 133 of first LED 132 forms a non-zero angle 139 withlongitudinal axis 113. Likewise, each of third LED 136, fourth LED 138and sixth LED 142 are oriented at non-zero angles with longitudinal axis113. More specifically, first LED 132 is oriented towards a forward-leftdirection, third LED 126 is oriented towards a forward-right direction,fourth LED 138 is oriented towards a rearward-left direction and sixthLED 142 is oriented towards a rearward-right direction. Further, secondLED 134 is oriented in a forward direction, while fifth LED 140 isoriented in a rearward direction.

Of course, light emitted from an illuminable element may be dispersedover a wide range of angles, and need not be emitted along a particularangular direction. However, the orientations of illuminable elements asdefined above may still correspond with light emitted generally in somedirection (e.g., forward, backwards, to the left or to the right).Further, in cases where illumination device 100 is disposed within anobject (such as a bladder), the differently oriented illuminableelements may tend to light up different regions of the object, asdiscussed in further detail below.

Other configurations for illuminable elements on housing portion 110 arealso possible. Specifically, the number and/or orientation of variousilluminable elements can vary. In some other embodiments, only two LEDsmay be present on first portion 116 and two LEDs may be present onsecond portion 118. Alternatively, in other embodiments, more than threeLEDs can be disposed on first portion 116 and more than three LEDs canbe disposed on second portion 118.

Still in some other embodiments, illumination device 100 may comprise ofa large illuminable element in the first portion 116, and/or a largeilluminable element in the second portion 118. Further in someembodiments, illuminable elements 130 may be disposed on the right sideportion 117 and/or the left side portion 119. Further still in someother embodiments, illuminable elements 130 may be oriented vertically,in other words, the thickness of the illumination device 100 may be ableto accommodate illuminable elements 130 oriented from the bottom surfaceto the top surface of illumination device 100. Further still, thethickness may be able to accommodate a plurality of rows of illuminableelements 130 oriented both vertically and horizontally. The number ofilluminable elements, their relative sizes, placement and/or theirrespective orientations may be selected according to desired lightingeffects, manufacturing considerations, component geometry (e.g., housinggeometry and/or bladder geometry) as well as possibly other factors.

In another embodiment, illuminable elements 130 can be associated withone or more of organic thin film transistor technologies, organic lightemitting diode (OLED) technologies, flexible OLED technologies, as wellas other electroluminescent elements. Examples are disclosed in any ofthe following: U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2010/10032660,U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0278449, U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2007/0222370, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,075,226,and 6,969,291, the entirety of each being hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, a width of the light emanating from illuminableelements 130, also known as beam angle, may vary. For purposes ofclarity, beam angle and its variants thereof, may refer to the angularsize of a beam of light emitted from one or more illuminable elements130. For purposes of clarity, the exemplary embodiment discusses a beamangle as confined generally to the horizontal direction, however a beamangle could alternatively be characterized as a solid angle when thevertical dispersion of light is also considered. For example, in someembodiments, the beam angle may be very narrow, between 7 and 15degrees. In some other embodiments, the beam angle may be very wide,between 60 and 160 degrees. Still further, the beam angle could rangebetween 160 degrees to 300 degrees. In some cases, the beam angle couldbe close to 360 degrees. A wide beam angle may flood an area withillumination, whereas a very narrow beam angle may propagate acollimated beam or spot of light with minimal dispersion at a specificlocation. The type of Illuminable elements 130 utilized by those skilledin the art for illumination device 100 may vary depending on the type ofbeam angle desired.

In some cases, illumination device 100 may be capable of projectinglight at a specific location or illumination zone using one illuminableelement 130, or at several locations using a plurality of illuminableelements 130. For example the first portion 116 may be illuminated byilluminating first LED 132, second LED 134, and third LED 136. Still insome other embodiments, illumination device 100 may be capable ofdispersing light from the right side portion 117 for example byilluminating only third LED 136 and sixth LED 142, or the left sideportion 119 by illuminating only first LED 132 and fourth LED 138.

Housing portion 110 may include provisions for programming illuminationdevice 100 to emit light in a variety of illumination modes which aredifferent from each other. As used in this detailed description and inthe claims, illumination mode and its variants thereof may refer todispersing light based on an output light color or based on variousillumination effects, discussed in further detail below. Furthermore,illumination mode may also refer to illuminating different illuminationlocations, zones or regions by emitting light from one or moreilluminable elements 130. Further it is to be understood thatillumination mode may refer to emitting light from illumination device100 using a combination of light color, illumination effects, and/orillumination zones. For purposes of clarity, light color, and itsvariants thereof, may refer to one or more colors of light emitted byone or more illuminable elements 130. Therefore, as used in thisdetailed description and in the claims, illumination modes may bedifferent as light may be dispersed based on an illumination effect, orbased on illuminating a region, or based on a combination of lightcolor, illumination effects, and or illuminating regions.

In some cases, because illumination device 100 can emit light with avery wide beam angle or narrow beam angle depending on the type ofilluminable elements 130 used, illumination device 100 can be programmedwith functionalities to disperse light at specific different locations(i.e., illumination zones) sequentially. In some other embodiments,illumination device 100 may be capable of dispersing light based onvarious condition-responsive parameters including, but not limited to,motion, ambient light conditions, or biological data such as aheartbeat. In an exemplary embodiment, provisions located within housingportion 110 may include a circuit (e.g., a circuit board) having acontrol unit and sensors for programming illumination device 100 withdifferent functionalities.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of circuit 150 withpower supply 120, control unit 160, sensors 170, and illuminableelements 130. In some embodiments, control unit 160 and sensors 170 canbe programmed to receive, transmit, and store data relating to whenilluminable elements 130 are engaged, for example, emitting light in acertain illumination effect. In another example, control unit 160 may beprogrammed to emit light based on movement detected by sensors 170. Inanother embodiment, control unit 160 may be programmed to emit severalcolors of light in combination with different illumination effects, andresponsive conditions received by sensors 170.

Other inputs from sensors may be used to influence the performance oroperation of the system. Some embodiments may use one or more of thesensors, features, methods, systems and/or components disclosed in thefollowing documents, each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety: Case et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,251, issued Feb. 7,2012; Riley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,320, issued Aug. 10, 2010;Darley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,428,471, issued Sep. 23, 2008; Amos etal., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0291564, publishedNov. 22, 2012; Schrock et al., U.S. Patent Application PublicationNumber 2012/0291563, published Nov. 22, 2012; Meschter et al., U.S.Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0251079, published Oct. 4,2012; Molyneux et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number2012/0234111, published Sep. 20, 2012; Case et al., U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2012/0078396, published Mar. 29, 2012;Nurse et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0199393,published Aug. 18, 2011; Hoffman et al., U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Number 2011/0032105, published Feb. 10, 2011; Schrock etal., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0063778, publishedMar. 11, 2010; Shum, U.S. Patent Application Publication Number2007/0021269, published Jan. 25, 2007; Schrock et al., U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2013/0213147, now U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/401,918, filed Feb. 22, 2012, titled “Footwear Having SensorSystem”; Schrock et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication Number2013/0213144, now U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/401,910, filedFeb. 22, 2012, titled “Footwear Having Sensor System.”

In some cases, illumination device 100 may disperse light based on adesired temporal interval, or illumination effect. Examples of variousillumination effects include, but are not limited to: point effect,blink effect, fade effect, flicker effect, flash effect, or pulseeffect. For purposes of clarity, “point” illumination effect may referto light emitting in equal brightness in all directions. “Blink”illumination effect may refer to an emission of light that alternates onand off. “Fade” illumination effect or dimming effect may refer to anemission of light that fades from full brightness to dark, or dark tofull brightness. “Flicker” illumination effect may refer to an emissionof light that switches off for a brief period at random intervals.“Flash” illumination effect may refer to an emission of light thatswitches on for a brief period at random intervals. “Pulse” illuminationeffect may refer to an emission of light that fades in and out atregular or a steady state interval.

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose variousconfigurations of an article of footwear that incorporates illuminationdevice 100. Concepts related to illumination device 100 are disclosedwith reference to footwear that is suitable for running or walking.However, illumination device 100 is not limited to articles of footweardesigned for these activities alone, nor is illumination device 100limited to articles of footwear in general. The concepts disclosedherein may, therefore, apply to a wide variety of articles of apparel,in addition to the specific styles discussed in the following materialand depicted in the accompanying figures.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate schematic isometric and exploded views of anembodiment of bladder member (bladder) 200 for article of footwear 300and sole system 302. For purposes of illustration, FIG. 3 shows bladdermember 200 in isolation from other components of an article of footwear300. However, it will be understood that bladder member 200 may beutilized in various different kinds of footwear including, but notlimited to: hiking boots, soccer shoes, football shoes, sneakers,running shoes, cross-training shoes, rugby shoes, basketball shoes,baseball shoes as well as other kinds of shoes. Moreover, in someembodiments, bladder member 200 may be configured for use with variouskinds of non-sports related footwear, including, but not limited to:slippers, sandals, high-heeled footwear, loafers, as well as other kindsof footwear.

Referring to FIG. 3 , for purpose of reference, bladder member 200 maybe divided into forefoot portion 202, midfoot portion 204, and heelportion 206. As shown, bladder member 200 may be associated with theright foot; however, it should be understood that the followingdiscussion may equally apply to a mirror image of bladder member 200that is intended for use with a left foot. Forefoot portion 202 may begenerally associated with the toes and joints connecting the metatarsalswith the phalanges. Midfoot portion 204 may be generally associated withthe arch of a foot. Likewise, heel portion 206 may be generallyassociated with the heel of a foot, including the calcaneus bone. Inaddition, bladder member 200 may include lateral side 208 and medialside 210. In particular, lateral side 208 and medial side 210 may beopposing sides of bladder member 200. In general, lateral side 208 maybe associated with the outside parts of a foot while medial side 210 maybe associated with the inside part of a foot. Furthermore, lateral side208 and medial side 210 may extend through forefoot portion 202, midfootportion 204, and heel portion 206.

It will be understood that forefoot portion 202, midfoot portion 204,and heel portion 206 are only intended for purposes of description andare not intended to demarcate precise regions of bladder member 200.Likewise, lateral side 208 and medial side 210 are intended to representgenerally two sides rather than precisely demarcating bladder member 200into two halves.

In some embodiments, bladder member 200 may comprise of an upper orfirst surface 212, an opposite lower or second surface 214 and aperipheral or third surface 216. In some embodiments, these surfaces maybe joined to form and enclose an interior cavity. In some embodiments,the interior cavity may be filled with a fluid, including a liquid, orgas. First surface 212, second surface 214, and third surface 216 may besubstantially impermeable to the fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, theinterior cavity may be filled with air. With this exemplary embodiment,bladder member 200 may act as a cushioning element to increase thecomfort, flexibility, and support of a sole system.

In some embodiments, bladder member 200 may Include provisions foraccommodating illumination device 100. In some cases, bladder member 200may comprise of a void 218 that is dimensioned and shaped to accept theshape of illumination device 100. An exemplary embodiment configuredthis way may enable illumination device 100 to disperse light throughoutthe bladder member 200 and sole system 302.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, article of footwear(footwear) 300 may be configured with a sole system 302, and an upper304. As shown, footwear 300 may be associated with the right foot;however, it should be understood that the following discussion mayequally apply to a mirror image of footwear 300 that is intended for usewith a left foot.

In general, illumination device 100 may be used to illuminate portionsof footwear 300. In addition to imparting a unique aesthetic to footwear300 and enhancing enjoyment of the wearer of footwear 300, illuminatedportions of footwear 300 may increase the visibility of the wearer,thereby making the wearer more visible to others in low light ordarkened conditions. Further, illuminated portions of footwear 300 maymake obstacles more visible to a wearer under these conditions.Illumination device 100 with its programmable functionalities andfeatures may allow illuminated portions of footwear 300 to enhance thevisibility of areas of footwear 300 that are subject to tensile,compression, bending, or twisting forces. Moreover, illuminating areasof footwear 300 may improve the degree to which the areas of footwear300 are visible on high-speed film or other mediums that visuallycapture performance data during biomechanical or other forms of testing.

Similar to the bladder member 200 descriptions above, footwear 300 maybe divided into three general regions, a forefoot region 306, a midfootregion 308, and a heel region 310. Footwear 300 may also include alateral side 312 and a medial side 314.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjective are employedthroughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustratedembodiments. The term “longitudinal” as used throughout this detaileddescription and in the claims may refer to an axis extending a length ofthe footwear. In some cases, the longitudinal axis may extend from aforefoot region to a heel region of the article of footwear. Also, theterm “lateral” as used throughout this detailed description and in theclaims may refer to an axis extending along a width of the article offootwear. In other words, the lateral axis may extend between a lateralside and a medial side of the article of footwear. Furthermore, the term“vertical” as used throughout this detailed description and in theclaims may refer to an axis generally perpendicular to a lateral andlongitudinal axis. For example, in some cases where an article offootwear is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical axis mayextend from the ground surface in a direction upward or downward. Inaddition, the term “proximal” may refer to a portion of an article offootwear that is closer to portions of a foot, for example, when thearticle of footwear is worn. Similarly, the term “distal” may refer to aportion of an article of footwear that is further from a portion of afoot when the article of footwear is worn. It will be understood thateach of these directional adjectives may be used in describingindividual components of article of footwear, such as outsole member,midsole member, bladder member, as well as other components of anarticle of footwear.

In some embodiments, upper 304 may incorporate a plurality of materialelements (e.g. textiles, polymer sheets, foam layers, leather, syntheticleather) that are stitched or bonded together to form an interior voidfor securely and comfortable receiving a foot. In some cases, thematerial elements may be selected to impart properties of durability,air-permeability, wear resistance, flexibility, and comfort, forexample, to specific areas of upper 304. An ankle opening 316 in a heelregion 310 provides access to the interior void. In addition, in someembodiments, upper 304 may include a lace 318 that is utilized in aconventional manner to modify the dimensions of the interior void,thereby securing the foot within the interior void and facilitatingentry and removal of the foot from the interior void. Lace 318 mayextend through apertures in the upper 304 and a tongue 320 of upper 304may extend between the interior void and lace 318. Although upper 304provides an example of a suitable configuration for footwear 300, avariety of other upper configurations may be utilized with footwear 300.

Some articles of footwear may have provisions to enhance the comfort orperformance of an article of footwear. In some embodiments, a solemember or sole system may include different components including asockliner, an insole, a midsole member, and an outsole member. In someother embodiments, one or more elements may be optional.

As seen in FIG. 4 , some embodiments may have sole system 302 secured toupper 304 and extend between upper 304 and the ground. In some cases,sole system 302 may impart cushioning for the foot (i.e. attenuatingground reaction forces). In some other cases, sole system 302 mayprovide traction, impart stability, and limit various foot motions, suchas pronation. In some other embodiments, sole system 302 may beassembled in a stacked configuration as shown. The following discussessome components of an exemplary embodiment of sole system 302.

In some embodiments, sole system 302 may include a midsole member 322.In some cases, midsole member 322 may include an upper midsole surface324 oriented towards the upper 304 and a lower midsole surface 326,opposite the upper midsole surface 324, and oriented towards the ground.In some cases, midsole member 322 may be secured to a lower area ofupper 304. In some cases, midsole member 322 may comprise of a chamberportion 328 for accepting illumination device 100. Chamber portion 328may be dimensioned and configured to fit within void 218 of bladdermember 200 when sole system 302 is assembled. In some embodiments,midsole member may be absent from sole system 302, thereforeillumination device may be placed directly into void 218.

In some cases, midsole member 322 may be made of any material known inthe art for making midsoles. In some other cases, midsole member 322 maybe formed from various polymer foam materials (e.g. polyurethane orethylvinylacetate foam) that extends through forefoot region 306,midfoot region 308, heel region 310, lateral side 312 and medial side314. In some embodiments, material used for making midsole member 322may be opaque. In an exemplary embodiment, midsole member 322 isconstructed from a transparent material, thereby allowing light emittedfrom illumination device 100 to pass through midsole member 322 and intobladder member 200.

In some sole systems 302, an outsole member 330 may be present. In someembodiments, outsole member 330 may include an inner surface 332oriented towards the bladder member 200. In some other embodiments,outsole member 330 may include an outer surface 334 oriented towards aground surface. In some embodiments, outsole member 330 may be securedto a lower area of bladder member 200. In some other embodiment outsolemember 330 may be formed from a textured durable and wear-resistantmaterial, for example rubber, that forms the ground contacting portionwhen footwear 300 is in use. Still in some other embodiments, outsolemember 330 could be made of any material known in the art for makingoutsoles.

In some embodiments, sole system 302 may include sockliner 336. In somecases, sockliner 336 may be located within a lower portion of the voidin the upper 304. In some other embodiments, sockliner 336 may have anupper surface 338 positioned to contact a lower surface of the foot andan opposite lower surface 340 confronting upper midsole surface 324. Insome other cases, sockliner 336 may be used to enhance the comfort offootwear 300.

Materials used for sockliner 336 could vary. In some embodiments,sockliner 336 could be made of any materials known in the art for use inmaking sockliners, including, but not limited to: rubbers, plastics,foams, textiles, as well as possibly other materials. In still someother cases, sockliner 336 could be made from opaque or transparentmaterials.

Some embodiments may include provisions for engaging illumination device100 through sole system 302. In some embodiments, sole system 302 mayuse sockliner 336. In some cases, sockliner 336 may comprise of a logoportion 342 located above chamber portion 328 of midsole member 322.Logo portion 342 may be used to engage illumination device 100 locatedin chamber portion 328 of midsole member 322 by pressing down on logoportion 342 of sockliner 336, and thereby turning illumination device100 on and off. In some other embodiments, illumination device 100 mayautomatically turn off or go into a low energy or dormant state after acertain period of time when not in use. In other words, in someembodiments a user may not have to manually engage illumination device100 to turn illumination device 100 on and off.

In some cases, sole system 302 may include bladder member 200 previouslydiscussed. In some embodiments, upper or first surface 212 may beadjacent to midsole member 322. In some other embodiments, lower orsecond surface 214 may be adjacent to an outsole member 330. In someother embodiments, peripheral or third surface 216 is disposed betweenfirst surface 212 and second surface 214.

In some embodiments, sole system 302 may comprise of a bladder member200 made of any material or combination of materials. Materials that maybe useful for forming one or more surfaces of a bladder member 200 canvary. In some cases, bladder member 200 may be made of a rigid tosemi-rigid material. In other cases, bladder member 200 may be made of asubstantially flexible material. In some other cases, bladder member 200may be made of various materials in different embodiments. For example,bladder member 200 may be formed from at least partially or whollytransparent polymer material that encloses a fluid (e.g. gas, liquid,gel). Although the fluid within the bladder member 200 may bepressurized, the fluid may also be at a substantially ambient pressure.In some embodiments, when bladder member 200 is pressurized, bonds maybe formed between opposite sides of bladder member 200 to preventexpansion and retain an intended shape of bladder member 200.

In some embodiments, a range of polymer materials may be utilized forbladder member 200, disclosed in the following references, each of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Specifically awide range of materials may be selected for first surface 212, secondsurface 214, and third surface 216. In selecting materials for bladdermember 200, engineering properties of the material (e.g., tensilestrength, stretch properties, fatigue characteristics, dynamic modulus,and loss tangent) as well as the ability of the material to prevent thediffusion of the fluid enclosed by bladder member 200 may be considered.When formed of thermoplastic urethane, for example, bladder member 200may have a thickness of approximately 1.0 millimeter, but the thicknessmay range from 0.2 to 4.0 millimeters or more, for example. In additionto thermoplastic urethane, examples of polymer materials that may besuitable for bladder member 200 include polyurethane, polyester,polyester polyurethane, and polyether polyurethane. In some otherembodiments, bladder member 200 may also be formed from a material thatincludes alternating layers of thermoplastic polyurethane andethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,713,141 and 5,952,065 to Mitchell, et al. A variation upon thismaterial may also be utilized, wherein layers include ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and a regrind material ofthe ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethane. Insome cases, another suitable material for bladder member 200 is aflexible microlayer membrane that includes alternating layers of a gasbarrier material and an elastomeric material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,082,025 and 6,127,026 to Bonk, et al. Additional suitablematerials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,183,156 and 4,219,945 toRudy. Further suitable materials include thermoplastic films comprisedof a crystalline material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,936,029 and5,042,176 to Rudy, and polyurethane including a polyester polyol, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,340; 6,203,868; and 6,321,465 to Bonk,et al.

In some embodiments, bladder member 200 may have a shape that fitswithin a perimeter of sole system 302 of footwear 300, extending fromforefoot region 306, midfoot region 308, heel region 310, and betweenlateral side 312 and medial side 314. Therefore, in some cases, when thefoot is located within the upper 304, bladder member 200 extends undersubstantially all of the foot. In some embodiments, while first surface212 is positioned adjacent and secured to midsole member 322 orsockliner 336, and second surface 214 is positioned adjacent and securedto outsole member 330, peripheral or third surface 216 may be exposed toan exterior of footwear 300 in forefoot region 306, midfoot region 308,heel region 310, and on lateral side 312 and medial side 314. In anotherembodiment, bladder member 200 may have a shape that fits partiallywithin sole system 302, for example, bladder member 200 may have a shapeconfigured to fit only within the heel region 310 of footwear 300.

Some articles of footwear 300 may include provisions for illuminatingsole system 302 having bladder member 200. In some other embodiments,where bladder member 200 is formed from a partially or whollytransparent material, and outsole member 330 is formed from at least apartially or wholly opaque material, light from illumination device 100may be capable of passing into and out of bladder member 200 throughexposed portions of peripheral or third surface 216. In some otherembodiments, where outsole member 330, and/or midsole member 322 and/orsockliner 336 are constructed from at least a partially or whollytransparent material, light from illumination device 100 may be capableof passing through portions of first surface 212 and/or second surface214.

Some sole systems include provisions for illuminating differentportions, target areas, illumination zones, or regions of a sole systemin an arrangement. In some embodiments, the sole system may emit light,from a programmed illumination device, at an illumination zone, forexample the forefoot region of an article of footwear. In some cases,the sole system may emit light at a second illumination zone, forexample the heel region. In some other embodiments, the sole system mayemit light in an arrangement continuously through various illuminationzones, in other words, light may originally be dispersed towards atleast a first illumination zone, and then transition dispersing lighttowards other illumination zones.

FIGS. 5 through 7 depict schematic top views of an exemplary transparentbladder member 200 for a sole system 302 with an illumination device 100in a sequential illuminated state. For purposes of illustration, bladdermember 200 and midsole member 322 are shown in isolation from othercomponents of sole system 302 or footwear 300. Here, midsole member 322is disposed over bladder member 200, with both members beingtransparent. Furthermore, the location of illumination device 100 inbladder member 200 and midsole member 322 in all the figures is meant tobe illustrative, and not meant to show the exact location ofillumination device 100 when sole system 302 and footwear 300 areassembled.

As shown in FIG. 5 , light emitted from illumination device 100 passeslongitudinally through the interior of bladder member 200, illuminatingforefoot portion 202 and exiting bladder member 200 and sole system 302that are exposed to an exterior of footwear 300. As previouslydiscussed, illumination device 100 can disperse light at differentlocations continuously, depending on the orientation and type ofilluminable elements 130 used by those skilled in the art. In anexemplary embodiment, illumination device 100 illuminates forefootportion 202 by illuminating first LED 132, second LED 134, and third LED136 and turning off fourth LED 138, fifth LED 140, and sixth LED 142.

In FIG. 6 after light has been projected towards the forefoot portion202 of bladder, illumination device 100 may transition towards midfootportion 204 by illuminating first LED 132, third LED 136, fourth LED138, and sixth LED 142 and turning the remaining illuminable elements130 off. Finally in FIG. 7 , illumination device 100 illuminates heelportion 206 of bladder member 200 by illuminating fourth LED 138, fifthLED 140, and sixth LED 142 and turning the illuminable elements 130 inthe first portion 116 off. In some embodiments, illumination device 100can then start the sequence over again and begin emitting light towardsforefoot portion 202. In some other embodiments, illumination device 100can be programmed to reverse the sequence instead, in other words, itilluminates bladder member 200 starting from heel portion 206 and endingat forefoot portion 202.

In some embodiments, illumination device 100 can be programmed incombination with functionalities relating to movement. In other words,illumination device 100 can emit light continuously from one region toanother region of sole system 302 corresponding to the movement offootwear 300 striking the ground surface. As an example, as a jogger'sheel strikes the ground, illumination device 100 may emit light in theheel region 310 of footwear 300 and continuously emit light towards thejogger's toes or forefoot region 306 of footwear 300, as the joggercompletes his or her step.

FIGS. 8 through 10 depict schematic top views of an exemplary bladdermember 200 in a sequential illuminated state from lateral side 208 tomedial side 210. In some embodiments, illumination device 100 can beprogrammed to emit light sequentially beginning at the lateral side 208and ending at the medial side 210. In some other embodiments, thesequence can be reversed.

As shown in FIG. 8 , light emitted from illumination device 100 passesthrough the interior of bladder member 200, illuminating lateral side208 and exiting bladder member 200 and sole system 302 that are exposedto an exterior of footwear 300. In this exemplary embodiment,illumination device 100 illuminates lateral side 208 by illuminatingthird LED 136 and sixth LED 142 and turning off first LED 132, secondLED 134, fourth LED 138, and fifth LED 140.

In FIG. 9 , after light has been projected towards lateral side 208,illumination device 100 may transition towards medial side 210 byilluminating second LED 134, and fifth LED 140, while turning off theother illuminable elements 130. Finally in FIG. 10 , illumination device100 illuminates medial side 210 by illuminating first LED 132 and fourthLED 138 and turning the remaining illuminable elements 130. In someembodiments, illumination device 100 can then start the sequence overagain and begin emitting light towards lateral side 208. In some otherembodiments, illumination device 100 can be programmed to reverse thesequence instead, in other words, it illuminates bladder member 200starting from medial side 210 and ending at lateral side 208.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of transparent bladder member200 and midsole member 322, in isolation, being illuminated withillumination device 100. Illumination device 100, as shown, isprogrammed to emit an illumination effect with a point illuminationeffect, in which light is emitted in equal brightness in all directions.In some embodiments, illumination device 100 can be programmed to emitonly a single color. In some other embodiments, illumination device 100can emit multiple light colors through bladder member 200.

In some other embodiments, an illumination device having illuminableelements such as RGB LEDs, can program illuminable elements,individually or grouped, to emit light in one or more colors. In stillsome other embodiments, the illumination device can be programmed todisplay a rotating set of desired colors. With a bladder member madefrom transparent materials, the illuminable elements will display adesired light color as it passes through the exposed surface of the solesystem 302. In some other embodiments, where a bladder member is madefrom material dyed in either a single or multiple color, the illuminatedor output light color being displayed through sole system 302 may be thesame or different om the light color emitted by the illuminableelements.

Some articles of footwear may include provisions for illuminating solesystems having a multi-colored bladder member. In some embodiments, asole system can have a multi-colored design, pattern, or visualappearance in which different portions of a bladder member havedifferent colors. In some other embodiments, a sole system may include amulti-colored bladder member where a transition may be visible betweentwo or more different portions having two or more different colors.

A bladder member may be colored using one or more dyes. Embodiments mayuse various different methods, process and systems for dyeing a bladdermember or any other components of a sole system. Methods, processes,systems and dyeing materials are disclosed in the following documents,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,547 to Bracken et al.; U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Number 2014/0250610, published on Sep. 11, 2014, titled“System and Method for Coloring Articles” to Schoborg; U.S. PatentPublication Number 2014/0250720, published on Sep. 11, 2014, titled“Multicolor Sole System” to Miner et al.; and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Number 20140250735, published on Sep. 11, 2014, titled“Method of Making Multi-Colored Objects” to Edwards.

In some embodiments, a different illuminated or light color may bedisplayed when a bladder member is dyed with either a single color ormultiple colors. For example, in some embodiments, if a bladder memberis dyed in a red color, and the wearer of an article of footwear desiresto have a color purple displayed, an illumination device may beprogrammed to take into account the bladder member color. Thus, forexample, the illumination device may emit a light color of blue, througha bladder member dyed red, in order to display a sole system illuminatedwith the light color of purple. Therefore, the illumination device canbe programmed any number of different ways in order for user to displaya desired color or colors with a colored or multi-colored bladdermember. Furthermore, as previously discussed, the illumination devicecan be programmed to additionally display any number of differentillumination effects, or emit light based on other functionalities.

In some embodiments, different illumination modes may be programmed intoan illumination device for lighting an article of footwear. Somearticles of footwear having an illumination device may includeprovisions for changing the color of light to indicate certainfunctionalities. In some embodiments, an article of footwear may displayan illuminated sole system based on functionalities programmed by awearer. In some cases, a user may wish to program an illumination deviceto display one or more colors of light based on functionalitiescorresponding or related to movement. In some other cases, user mayprogram an illumination device to display one or more colors of lightbased on a condition-responsive parameter that reaches a predeterminedlevel.

In some embodiments, one or more condition-responsive parameters couldbe selected by a user and received by the illumination device. Suchparameters may be referred to throughout this detailed description andin the claims as “user-selected condition-responsive parameters” orsimply “user-selected parameters.” Examples of user-selected parameterscan include but are not limited to, motion, speed, ambient lightconditions, or biological data such as a heartbeat. Such user-selectedparameters could be variable and selected by a user via a computersystem, mobile computing device or other provisions. It will beunderstood that in some embodiments, some parameters could be selectableby a user, while in other embodiments these parameters may not beselectable by a user. In other words, some parameters could bepredetermined by a system and not a user in some embodiments.

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a user 1000programming an illumination device 100 by computer 1002 for variousfunctionalities for article of footwear 300 having transparent bladdermember 200. Generally, computer 1002 could be any type of computingdevice including, but not limited to: desktop computers, or laptopcomputers. In addition, the term computer can also include any otherdevice that includes a display and a processor. Examples of such devicesinclude, but are not limited to: PDA's, cell phones, smart phones,tablets, as well as other types of devices.

In some embodiments, illumination device 100 may be connected tocomputer 1002 using any types of connection known in the art. Examplesof such connections include, but are not limited to: wired connections,wireless connections, or any other types of suitable connections.

Wired connections can be any cable or collection of wires that can beused to exchange information between an illumination device and acomputer, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Furthermore, thewired connection could be associated with any type of connection, forexample an IEEE 13394 interface (fire wire) could be used for datatransfer. In addition, wired connections may be configured to transferpower between an illumination device and a computer. In someembodiments, a wired connection could be used to charge a power supplyof an illumination device. In other embodiments, any other type of wiredconnection could be used.

In some cases, illumination device 100 may be connected to computer 1002using a wireless connection 1004. Generally, wireless connection 1004could be any type of connection known in the art that supports any typeof wireless communication. In some cases, computer 1002 and illuminationdevice 100 may communicate using a wireless network, Examples of suchnetworks include, but are not limited to: personal area networks, localarea networks, wide area networks, client-server networks, peer-to-peernetworks, as well as other types of networks. In other cases, wirelessconnection 1004 could utilize the blue tooth wireless protocol. In stillsome other cases, wireless connection 1004 may use short range wirelesstechnologies such as wireless USB.

For purposes of illustration, illumination device 100 and computer 1002are shown within close proximity of one another in the currentembodiment shown in FIG. 12 . However, other embodiments may haveillumination device 100 remotely connected to computer 1002 using awireless network. Furthermore, in some cases, illumination device 100could be connected to computer 1002 using a packet-switchedcommunication system such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, illumination device 100 is programmed inassociation with a software interface that may be downloaded and/or runon computer 1002. The term “software interface” refers to any computerprogram, or collection of computer programs, that may be used as aninterface for inputting information to, or receiving information from,illumination device 100. In some cases, software for interfacing withillumination device 100 could be stored on computer 1002. In othercases, software for interfacing with illumination device 100 could beassociated with a control unit for an illumination device 100 that isaccessed through computer 1002 when illumination device 100 isconnected. This association allows software for interfacing withillumination device 100 to be used with any other computer that iscapable of connecting with illumination device 100. Furthermore,software for interfacing may be updated thereby allowing user todownload other illumination modes for programming illumination device100.

In some embodiments, user can select or program illumination device 100to illuminate a sole system in a variety illumination modes. Aspreviously stated, illumination device 100 can be programmed toilluminate specific regions or illumination zones. Further, illuminationdevice 100 can be programmed to illuminate a sole system based ondifferent types of illumination effects: pulse, fade, etc. In some otherembodiments, illumination device 100 can be programmed to emit light indifferent colors or a combination of colors depending on the type ofilluminable elements 130 utilized. Further still, in some embodiments,illumination device 100 can be programmed to emit a desired outputilluminated light color for a colored or multi-colored bladder member.Still in some other embodiments, illumination device 100 can beprogrammed by a user to illuminate a sole system based on acondition-responsive parameter: time of day, ambient light, velocity,etc. Therefore, a first illumination mode, for example, may be pulsingblue light in all directions of a bladder member and sole system. Insome other embodiments, a second illumination mode could be fading redlight from the heel region to the forefoot region, or the lateral sideto the medial side.

In some embodiments, using the concepts described above, user 1000 mayprogram illumination device 100 by wireless connection 1004 withcomputer 1002 as shown in FIG. 12 . User 1000 may first determine a typeof illumination effect previously discussed. In some cases, user 1000may select one illumination effect or multiple illumination effects. Inthis exemplary example, an enlarged view of the terminal screen ofcomputer 1002 depicts user 1000 selecting two (2) illumination effects.The first effect having the pulse illumination effect, and the second orfinal effect having the point illumination effect. In some other cases,user 1000 may designate various illumination zones or regions of solesystem 302 for illumination, for example, a heel region to a forefootregion, a lateral side to a medial side, or in this exemplary embodimentall regions of sole system 302 of article of footwear 300. In anotherembodiment, user 1000 may program illumination device 100 to illuminatesole system 302 in response to certain condition-responsive parameters.In another embodiment, illumination device 100 may illuminate solesystem 302 with an illumination effect based on a condition-responsiveparameter, as programmed by user 1000. In still another embodiment,illumination device can illuminate sole system 302 with an illuminationeffect without needing a condition-responsive parameter. In thisexemplary example, user 1000 programs illumination device 100 to emitlight based on a condition-responsive parameter corresponding or relatedto motion or movement. In some other embodiments, user 1000 may select aquantity of light colors to display. In this exemplary embodiment, user1000 selects two (2) light colors for illumination device 100 todisplay; the first programmed light color associated with the color red,and the second or final programmed light color associated with the colorblue.

For purposes of illustration, FIGS. 13 through 15 as well as otherfigures in this detailed description make use of different shading,cross hatching, or stippling to indicate exemplary variations in colorof a bladder member or light color from an illumination device across asole system. Thus, for example, portions or regions of similarshading/stippling may be associated with a common color. Likewise,portions or regions with different shading/stippling may be associatedwith different color. In addition, FIGS. 13 through 15 as well as otherfigures in this detailed description make use of enlarged views offootwear undergoing various illuminated states in sequence.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user 1000 as he beginsto walk wearing footwear 300 with illumination device 100. Illuminationdevice 100 as programmed in FIG. 12 , and in response to the movement,emits first programmed light color 1006 having the color red. Moreover,illumination device 100 emits first programmed light color 1006 with apulse illumination effect. In other words, illumination device 100 emitsa red color light, through all zones of the exposed surfaces oftransparent bladder member 200 of sole system 302, fading in and out atregular intervals.

In some cases, as user 1000 gradually increases the intensity of motionfrom a walking motion to a jogging motion, illumination device 100 willbegin to gradually emit second programmed light color 1008 having thecolor blue as illustrated in FIG. 14 . Therefore, both a red light and ablue light will fade in and out at increasing intervals throughout allregions of bladder member 200 and sole system 302 in response to user'srapid movement. In other words, as illumination device 100 senses fastermotion, the intervals at which first programmed light color 1006 and/orsecond programmed light color 1008 are emitted corresponds to the user'smovement.

In some other embodiments, as user 1000 continues to increase speed,illumination device 100 will detect the increasing rapid movement andgradually increase the emission of second programmed light color 1008while gradually decreasing the emission of first programmed light color1006. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 15 , illumination device100 in bladder member 200 will display more blue light throughout allregions of the bladder 200 as user 1000 becomes fully engaged inrunning, until illumination device 100 emits second programmed lightcolor 1008 in equal brightness in all directions in all regions of solesystem 302 of footwear 300. In other words, the second illuminationeffect, the point illumination effect, is now projected by illuminationdevice 100. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the emission of secondprogrammed light color 1008 or blue light from illumination device 100in all directions and regions of sole system 302 signifies user 1000 isfully engaged in running and no longer walking.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of a generic process for controllingan illumination device to emit light. In this embodiment, the followingsteps may be performed by a control unit located in the illuminationdevice. In some other embodiments, these steps may be performed byadditional systems or devices associated with the illumination device.For example, in some cases, including sensors or devices for measuringvarious parameters, one or more steps could be performed by sensors orother components. In addition, where the illumination device, located ina bladder member of a sole system for an article of footwear, is inelectronic communication with a computer, as previously stated, one ormore steps could be performed by the computer. In addition, it will beunderstood that in other embodiments, one or more of the following stepsmay be optional, or additional steps may be added.

During step 1602, the control unit may receive a condition-responsiveparameter and initial threshold information. The term“condition-responsive parameter” as used throughout this detaileddescription and in the claims refers to any parameter associated with astate of a user and/or article worn by the user as well as a state of anenvironment where the article is worn. The condition-responsiveparameter could be any parameter including, but not limited to: thenumber of heel strikes, the number of steps taken, the number of jumpsperformed, the temperature of a region of an article of footwear, themoisture of a region of the footwear, ambient temperature, ambientlighting conditions, as well as any other condition-responsiveparameter. In some embodiments, the control unit for the illuminationdevice could be configured to determine whether a user is moving fasteror slower by sensors sensing pressure placed upon the illuminationdevice during a certain time frame. In some other embodiments, theillumination device can be programmed to determine whether a user ismoving faster or slower by the sensors determining the velocity of therunner. Moreover, the condition-responsive parameter can be determinedfrom any information received from one or more sensors, including bothsensors internal to the illumination device (e.g., within the housingthe illumination device) or sensors external to the illumination device.

The term “threshold information” or “threshold value” as used throughoutthis detailed description and in the claims may refer to any informationinputted by a user. In some embodiments, the threshold information couldbe related to an initial illumination mode. For example, in oneembodiment, the threshold information could be related to a quantity ofillumination effects, type of illumination effect, locations of solestructure designated for illumination, whether the sole structure is aspecific color, or a desired output color.

During step 1604 information may be received from sensors in controlunit during use. For example, the sensors in control unit may determinea velocity has been reached thereby causing the control unit toilluminate the sole structure in a selected illumination mode. In someembodiments, the control unit may store the information in memoryassociated with the control unit. In other cases, information could bestored in memory associated with another component of the illuminationdevice.

During step 1606, the control unit may determine an illumination effectaccording to the condition-responsive parameter and information fromsensors. In some cases, the control unit may assign a continuousillumination effect to each condition-responsive parameter. In othercases, the control unit may assign different illumination effects todiscrete ranges of the condition-responsive parameter. For example, inthe embodiment discussed with FIGS. 12 through 15 , the control unit mayemit light using a pulse illumination effect when sensors determine avelocity is less than three (3) miles per hour (mph). In addition, thecontrol unit may emit a point illumination effect when sensors determinethe velocity is greater than eight (8) miles per hour. In otherembodiments, the control unit could determine a light color to displayaccording to other condition-responsive parameters and information fromsensors.

Next, in step 1608, the control unit may control the illumination mode.For example, if during step 1606 the control unit determined that theemission of light should be a point illumination effect based on avelocity of 8 mph or more, the control unit may control the illuminationdevice to emit light in equal intensity in all directions as shown inFIG. 11 . On the other hand, as the velocity decreases from 8 mph toless than 8 mph, the control unit may change the mode to a pulseillumination effect and control the illumination device to emit light byfading the light on and off at certain intervals. After step 1608, instep 1610, the process is done and the control unit will control theillumination mode based on updated information from the sensors in step1604.

It will be understood that the control unit may be programmed to controlthe emission of light of the illumination device using active or passivemethods. In some cases, the control unit may actively maintain anemission of light for illumination device by continuously sendingelectric signals (in the forms of currents or voltages) to theilluminable elements of the illumination device. In other cases, thecontrol portion may passively control an emission of light when a changeis needed. The use of either passive or active control methods may varyaccording to the type of light emitting technology used. In addition,some technologies could make use of a combination of active or passivecontrol methods.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a specific method for controllingan illumination device to emit light. In particular, FIG. 17 illustratesa method that could be used to emit light in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 12 through 15 . In this embodiment, the following steps may beperformed by a control unit of the illumination device. However, in someembodiments these steps may be performed by additional systems ordevices associated with the illumination device. For example, in somecases, including sensors or devices for measuring various parameters,one or more steps could be performed by sensors or other components. Inaddition, where the illumination device, located in a bladder member ofa sole system for an article of footwear, is in electronic communicationwith a computer, as previously stated, one or more steps could beperformed by the computer. In addition, it will be understood that inother embodiments, one or more of the following steps may be optional,or additional steps may be added.

During step 1702, the control unit may receive or retrieve informationcorresponding to or related to movement or motion. In particular, thecontrol unit could retrieve information related to a step rate event. Insome embodiments, step rate information can be retrieved from a sensorlocated in the illumination device. In other cases, step rateinformation can be retrieved from other devices capable of measuringmotion that may be disposed externally to an illumination device (e.g.,sensors disposed within a sole member or an upper). For purposes ofclarity, step rate may refer to the number of steps a user takes duringa certain time frame while performing an activity such as walking,jogging, or running.

In some embodiments, the illumination device retrieves informationrelated to a present value related to movement or motion. Following step1702, during step 1704, the control unit may update step rateinformation, which is a variable that keeps track of the number of stepstaken within a certain time frame (e.g. minute, hours, etc.). Next,during step 1706, the control unit may determine if the step rate isgreater than 100 steps per minute (SPM). If the step rate is less than100 steps per minute, the illumination device 100 emits an illuminationeffect with a pulse illumination effect in a light color of red as shownin step 1708. If, however, the step rate is greater than 100, thecontrol unit may proceed to step 1712 and begin to emit a light color inred and a light color in blue with a slow pulse illumination effect.During step 1712, the control unit may determine if the step rate isgreater than 250 steps per minute. If no, the control unit may proceedto step 1714 where the illumination device maintains emitting a redlight color and a blue light color with a slow pulse illuminationeffect. Otherwise, the control unit may proceed to step 1718.

During step 1718, the control unit determines if the step rate isgreater than 350 steps per minute. If the step rate is less than 350steps per minute, the control unit may proceed to step 1720 where theillumination device maintains emitting a blue light color and red lightcolor with a faster pulse illumination effect. Otherwise, the controlunit proceeds to step 1722 and emits a blue light color without a pulseillumination effect and instead displays the point illumination effect.In other words, the bladder member of the sole system is fullyilluminated in a blue light color in all regions or illumination zones.

It will be understood that in other embodiments, different thresholdvalues could be selected by a user and retrieved by the illuminationdevice. As discussed above, the exemplary embodiment uses a step ratethreshold of 100, 250, and 350 steps per minute, correspondingapproximately to the number of steps taken in different types ofphysical activities such as walking, jogging, and running. In otherembodiments, the control unit of illumination device 100 may emit lightaccording to other threshold values. In some other embodiments, thethreshold values will correspond with or be related to what a userprograms initially.

Some illumination devices can include provisions for calculating adesired color of light based on other information received. In someembodiments, a bladder member may be transparent or may comprise ofportions having one or more different colors as previously described. Insome other embodiments, a user may program an illumination device toilluminate a bladder member that has one or more colored portions. Instill some other embodiments, a user can select a desired outputilluminated light color for a colored or multi-colored bladder member byhaving the illumination device take into account the color or colors ofthe bladder member, in order to achieve the desired output illuminatedlight color displayed through the bladder member and sole system.

In FIG. 18 , an exemplary embodiment may have user 2000 communicate toillumination device 100 that bladder member 2006 comprises a colorportion with the color red. In some embodiments, bladder member 2006 maycomprise of additional color portions arranged in any number ofdifferent ways. As previously stated, user 2000 may also select whicharea or illumination zone of bladder member 2006 will be designated forillumination. Finally, user 2000 may select the desired output lightcolor for bladder member 2006 of sole system 2010. In this exemplaryembodiment, user 2000 selected red for the output light color forbladder member 2006. However, as stated previously, in some embodiments,a different illuminated or light color may be programmed intoillumination device 100 and displayed when a bladder member is dyed witheither a single color or multiple colors.

In some embodiments, user 2000 may program illumination device 100 bywired connection 2004 with computer 2002, as shown in FIG. 18 . In somecases, user 2000 may select the quantity and type of illuminationeffect. In this exemplary embodiment, user 2000 selects illuminationdevice 100 to emit the flash illumination effect. Therefore, with thisillumination effect, the illumination device 100 will proceed to emitlight on and off at random intervals. User 2000 then selects whichregions of a bladder member 2006 of sole system 2010 for an article offootwear 2012 will be illuminated. In this exemplary embodiment, user2000 selects all regions for illumination, in other words, illuminationdevice 100 will emit light in all zones of bladder member 2006.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of user 2000, wearingarticle 2012 with sole system 2010 having a colored bladder member 2006with programmed illumination device 100. In this exemplary embodiment,illumination device 100 will illuminate bladder member with programmedoutput light color 2024. Additionally, based on the desired programmedflash illumination effect, illumination device 100 emits the desiredoutput light color 2024 on and off at random intervals at the selectedillumination zones. Thus, the sole system 2010 is illuminated in allregions of sole system 2010 of article 2012. Specifically, in theexemplary embodiment, output light color 2024 is not visible in solesystem 2010 in the first configuration 2200 of article 2012 but isvisible in sole system 2010 in the second configuration 2300 of article2012 shown in FIG. 19 because of the flash illumination effect. Finally,output light color 2024 is not visible in the third configuration 2400of sole system 2010 shown in FIG. 19 . Here, first configuration 2200,second configuration 2300 and third configuration 2400 occur in sequenceaccording to the flash illumination effect.

For purposes of illustration and clarity, colored portions are onlylabeled on bladder member 2006 and sole system 2010 in the figures.However, as described above, both an outsole member and a midsole membermay also have colored portions corresponding to colored portions ofbladder member 2006. In other words, a midsole member may have a coloredmidsole portion. Likewise, the outsole member may have a colored outsoleportion.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a specific method forcontrolling an illumination device in an article of footwear to emitlight based on a colored or multi-colored bladder. In particular, FIG.20 illustrates a method that could be used to control an illuminationdevice in a manner illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 . In this embodiment,the following steps may be performed by a control unit; however in someembodiments these steps may be performed by additional systems ordevices associated with the illumination device. For example, in somecases, including sensors or devices for measuring various parameters,one or more steps could be performed by sensors or components. Inaddition, where the illumination device, located in a bladder member ofa sole system for an article of footwear, is in electronic communicationwith a computer, as previously stated, on or more steps could beperformed by the computer. In addition, it will be understood that inother embodiments, one or more of the following steps may be optional,or additional steps could be added.

Referring to FIG. 20 , user 2000 may wish to illuminate colored bladdermember 2006 with illumination device 100. Illumination device 100 mayreceive an illumination mode information from user 2000. In someembodiments, illumination mode information corresponds or is related toilluminating colored bladder member 2006 with a specified illuminationeffect, such as the flash illumination effect, as shown in step 2500.Next, in step 2510, illumination device 100 may receive illuminationmode information from user 2000 corresponding or related to emittinglight in a specified illumination zone. Next, in step 2520, illuminationdevice may receive information from user 2000 corresponding or relatedto a color of bladder member 2006. In step 2530, illumination device 100may receive illumination mode information from user 2000 related tooutput light color from illuminable elements 130, such as the type oflight color and quantity of light colors to emit. As stated previously,an illumination device having illuminable elements such as RGB LEDs, canbe programmed, individually or grouped, to emit light in one or morecolors. Finally, in step 2540, illumination device 100 illuminatescolored bladder member 2006 and sole system 2010 of article of footwear2012 by controlling illuminable elements according to the differentillumination modes: illumination effect, illumination zone, and outputlight color, provided by user 2000.

In some embodiments, depending on the type of illuminable elements usedby those skilled in the art, a user may be able to program illuminationdevice 100 to illuminate a colored bladder member to achieve differenteffects. As stated previously, illumination device can be programmed todisplay a rotating set of desired colors using illuminable elements suchas RGB LEDs. Therefore, when combined with a colored bladder member, auser may be able to illuminate colored bladder member with a differentcolor when combined with the bladder member's external color.

An illumination device may include provisions to program an emission oflight based on changing ambient light conditions. In some embodiments, auser may be outside wearing an article with an illuminated deviceemitting light based on a previously programmed mode. In some cases,based on changing conditions such as the weather or the time of day, auser may use a mobile device, such as a phone, to program theillumination device by changing the programmed illumination device toemit light with a different configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22 , in an exemplary embodiment, user 3000 maybe outside with an article of footwear 3002 with an illumination device100 in bladder member 3004 of sole system 3006. In some cases,illumination device 100 may be emitting light based on a previouslyinputted illumination mode. For example, user 3000 may have programmedillumination device 100 to illuminate article 3002 for a physicalactivity such as walking, during a certain time of day such as in theafternoon. Furthermore, while performing the physical activity, the timeof day may change such as when afternoon changes into evening.

Referring to FIG. 21 , in some embodiments, user 3000 may decide tochange the type of light emitting from illumination device 100 tocorrespond with the time of day 3008. As used herein, the “time of day”could be determined according to a clock, for example, or alternativelycould be determined by ambient lighting conditions. Thus, illuminationdevice 100 may change an illumination mode according to either a timedetermined from a clock, or from sensing ambient lighting conditions. Aspreviously explained, in some embodiments, user 3000 may use a mobiledevice 3010 to communicate wirelessly 3012 with illumination device 100.In an exemplary embodiment, mobile device 3010 is a smart phone. In someother embodiments, user 3000 may program illumination device 100 toilluminate sole system 3006 as the time of day conditions change fromafternoon to evening. In FIG. 21 , user 3000 programs illuminationdevice 100 to illuminate sole system 3006 of article 3002 for evening.Furthermore, user 3000 selects an illumination effect and illuminationzones. Therefore, as illustrated, illumination device 100 will emitlight from the heel region to the forefoot region, using the fadeillumination effect with a light color of yellow. In FIG. 22 , as timeof day 3008 changes from afternoon to sunset to evening, an enlargedview of article 3002 sequentially illustrates illumination device 100illuminating bladder member 3004 of sole system 3006 from the heelregion to the forefoot region with a fade illumination effect.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a specific method forcontrolling an illumination device in an article of footwear to emitlight based on changing conditions. In particular, FIG. 23 illustrates amethod that could be used to control an illumination device in a mannerillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 . In this embodiment, the following stepsmay be performed by a control unit; however in some embodiments thesesteps may be performed by additional systems or devices associated withthe illumination device. For example, in some cases, including sensorsor devices for measuring various parameters, one or more steps could beperformed by sensors or other components. In addition, where theillumination device, located in a bladder member of a sole system for anarticle of footwear, is in electronic communication with a computer, aspreviously stated, one or more steps could be performed by the computer.In addition, it will be understood that in other embodiments, one ormore of the following steps may be optional, or additional steps couldbe added.

During step 2302, the control unit may receive information correspondingor related to a condition-responsive parameter. In particular, thecontrol unit could receive information related to a time of dayconditions (e.g. morning, afternoon, evening, or night). In someembodiments, time of day information can be received from an internaltime keeping device (e.g., clock), or from remote information receivedwirelessly. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, time of dayinformation could be determined based on ambient light conditions. Suchambient light conditions could be determined by a sensor located in, orexternally to, the illumination device. In other cases, time of dayinformation can be received from other devices.

Following step 2302, during step 2304, the control unit may update thetime of day information, which is a variable that keeps track of thetime. Next, during step 2306, the control unit may determine if the timeis before 6:00 P.M. which may signify when evening begins and thussignaling illumination device to engage in the illumination modeprogrammed by a user. If the time of day is after 6:00 P.M., theillumination device begins to fade light from the heel region to theforefoot region as shown in step 2308. If, however, the time is before6:00 P.M., the control unit may proceed to step 2310, in which case theillumination device may remain dormant, or if the user desires to keep apreviously programmed illumination mode, then the illumination deviceremains in that illumination mode.

It will be understood that in other embodiments, different thresholdvalues could be selected. This exemplary embodiment uses a 6:00 P.M. asa threshold value. In other embodiments, the control unit of theillumination device may emit light according to other threshold values,including, for example, real time lighting conditions instead of using athreshold time (e.g., 6 p.m.).

While various embodiments have been described, the description isintended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments andimplementations are possible that are within the scope of theembodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combinationwith or substituted for any other feature or element in any otherembodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodimentsare not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims andtheir equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be madewithin the scope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sole structure for an article of footwearincluding an upper, the sole structure comprising: a bladder memberhaving an interior cavity filled with a fluid, the bladder memberincluding an upper surface opposing the upper, a lower surface opposinga ground-contacting surface of the sole structure, and a side surfaceextending (i) between the upper surface and the lower surface and (ii)around an entire perimeter of the sole structure; and an illuminationdevice operable to direct light into the interior cavity to illuminatethe side surface around the perimeter of the sole structure at selectiveperimeter regions, the selective perimeter regions including a firstillumination zone and a second illumination zone different than thefirst illumination zone.
 2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein theupper surface includes a recess extending into the interior cavity, theillumination device being disposed within the recess.
 3. The solestructure of claim 2, wherein the illumination device selectivelytransmits light into the interior cavity through the upper surface. 4.The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the illumination deviceselectively transmits light into the interior cavity through the uppersurface.
 5. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the illuminationdevice includes a first light extending in a direction toward a medialside of the bladder member and operable to selectively transmit lighttoward the medial side, a second light extending in a direction toward alateral side of the bladder member and operable to selectively transmitlight toward the lateral side, and a third light disposed between thefirst light and the second light, extending in a direction along alongitudinal axis of the bladder member, and operable to selectivelytransmit light in a direction toward one of a forefoot region of thebladder member and a heel region of the bladder member.
 6. The solestructure of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first light, thesecond light, and the third light is a light emitting diode (LED). 7.The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the illumination device isoperable to illuminate the entire perimeter of the sole structure at theside surface.
 8. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising acontroller operable to control the illumination device based on anoperational state of the article of footwear.
 9. An article of footwearincorporating the sole structure of claim
 1. 10. A sole structure for anarticle of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising: abladder member having an interior cavity filled with a fluid, thebladder member including an upper surface opposing the upper, a lowersurface opposing a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure, anda side surface extending (i) between the upper surface and the lowersurface and (ii) around an entire perimeter of the sole structure; andan illumination device operable to selectively illuminate the solestructure at the side surface around the entire perimeter of the solestructure in a first mode and at selective perimeter regions in a secondmode, the selective perimeter regions including a first illuminationzone and a second illumination zone different than the firstillumination zone.
 11. The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the uppersurface includes a recess extending into the interior cavity, theillumination device being disposed within the recess.
 12. The solestructure of claim 11, wherein the illumination device selectivelytransmits light into the interior cavity through the upper surface. 13.The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the illumination deviceselectively transmits light into the interior cavity through the uppersurface.
 14. The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the illuminationdevice includes a first light extending in a direction toward a medialside of the bladder member and operable to selectively transmit lighttoward the medial side, a second light extending in a direction toward alateral side of the bladder member and operable to selectively transmitlight toward the lateral side, and a third light disposed between thefirst light and the second light, extending in a direction along alongitudinal axis of the bladder member, and operable to selectivelytransmit light in a direction toward one of a forefoot region of thebladder member and a heel region of the bladder member.
 15. The solestructure of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first light, thesecond light, and the third light is a light emitting diode (LED). 16.The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the bladder member ispressurized.
 17. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein theillumination device is operable to illuminate the side surface withdifferent colors based on at least one condition-responsive parameter.18. The sole structure of claim 17, further comprising a controlleroperable to control the illumination device based on an operationalstate of the article of footwear.
 19. An article of footwearincorporating the sole structure of claim 10.